Evolving “The Heart of the Practice”

Why is it typically within sports (or any endeavor) that someone will win one or two times, then you never hear of them again?  And, why is it that a few others have longevity and grow their skills for a lifetime to become great Teachers?  Is it because they are naturally skilled? Is it their strong desire? Or have they done something different along their path to sustain this forward momentum?

I believe that people are successful because they have cultivated “The Heart of the Practice” (see Part 1).  It is the benefit of developing a strong root and knowing “why” you do what you do. From this, you find the “love” of what you do. When you go through this process the right way, you can avoid the pit falls of burning out. You find your “heart” within the sport.  Even when you go on to other endeavors, this “heart” grows and sustains you through the long-time practice of building foundation. These are the steps which are required to become a Master in whatever you do.  It is learning over a long time span what it means to build “the heart of the practice.”  When you keep the “heart” in the practice, you can sustain many years of experiences, training and growing into the deeper aspects of what you do. When centered in “the heart of the practice” you are stronger mentally and physically so instead of being vulnerable to injury or exhaustion you become energized.

The Power of the Mountain – Finding the Gate

How do you keep “the heart” in the game?  How do you set up a ritual of “Entering through the Gate?”  This is a question only you can answer. You must find the place of your power, either a physical location or a mental state that allows you to sustain your energy.

For me, it comes from the “Power of the Mountains.” For thirty years, I have developed most of my practice in the mountains.  If I move or cannot be in the mountains, it’s always a short time before I go back to re-root.  This is where my strong deep love and connection sustains “the heart of the practice” which allows me to evolve and continually reinvent myself. Once you have a structure for “Entering through the Gate” it is much easier because that structure becomes the “Gate.” But it is not going to the mountain that gives me strength and wisdom; it is what happens inside me when I go to the mountain. It is my interface with “the heart of my practice.” The mountain having become the Gate is the solid foundation for change within. This change within, this evolution of loving what you are doing, is the path, not the destination. It is not the House (see Part 1 – Entering through the Gate).

When you are lead to your structure, be it the mountains, ocean, or a state of mind that creates an open place inside you, this is your “Gate.” For my practice, metaphorically, the “Gate” opens down the mountain where I park my car. I begin “Entering the Gate,” when I start walking up the mountain along streams and pathways lined with beautiful forests.  When I’m walking, I contemplate my practice, and quiet my mind.  As I get higher up the mountain I feel the energy changing with the clearness of the air and sky – the vibration of the city leaves me and I enter into clearer perspective – I enter into Teacherless Learning – (See Teacherless Learning).

As I come to my favorite practice area, there is a beautiful little bridge to walk over, my entrance to learn. This bridge opens into my self-designed training area and I have entered “through the Gate” to bring “heart” to the practice. While entering the Gate, I have been setting my focus and intentions.

In my training area there are special places where big trees have fallen across creeks and the side of hills, all which become obstacles to inspire new perspective – to learn balance, to make un-even footing feel like flat ground because all the cells of my mind-body are connected. My mountain Gate provides an enlightened approach to training because the mountain is ever evolving.

Along the journey through the Gate the unexpected can occur. One day while standing on a log across the creek, basking in the heart of my practice I opened my eyes to see two deer peering at me with large doe eyes. “The heart of the practice” became the thrill of the moment. Had I gone right to the House instead of through the Gate, this moment along my journey would have been missed. The animals, trees and mountains provide an entrance to obtain the essence and “soul of the art.”

Not everyone can go to an ideal spot in nature to consume Teacherless Learning. But there are many things that cannot be experienced in a gym.  If you are serious about cultivating the internal energy arts, I would encourage you to place your metaphorical Gate in a natural setting. If you live near a park, stream, meadow, lake or mountain nature can help you enter through the Gate. Nature can remind you that the Gate is not the House.